People will be consulted about plans to build a huge wind farm on Hope Moor from next week.
Fred Olsen Renewables is proposing to erect 23 200m turbines on a site encompassing parts of Barningham and Holgate Moor and East Arkengarthdale Estate.
The firm, which initially indicated there would be 20 turbines, say the project will generate enough electricity to power 135,000 homes and businesses.
However, protesters believe the turbines will have a hugely detrimental impact on the environmentally sensitive moorland and will also impact the landscape because of their visibility from great distances.
Formal plans have yet to be submitted for the Hope Moor Wind Farm but provisional plans for the project will be made public when the consultation process begins.
Fred Olsen Renewables (FORL) revealed details of the consultation events that will enable the public to meet members of the project team, find out more information on the wind farm and share their views.
Euan Hutchinson, UK development director at FORL, said: “Hope Moor Wind Farm is being developed with the local community very much in mind.
“This first stage of consultation is about listening to and understanding what matters to people locally and using that feedback to help shape our plans before we come back with a second stage of consultation later this year.
“We encourage people to take a look at the proposals at this stage and share their views. What [they] tell us will help inform how the project develops.
“We’re looking forward to meeting local residents, businesses and community groups over the coming weeks and hearing what [they] have to say.”
Following the first consultation, which ends on June 30, all feedback received will be reviewed and used to help refine the proposals.
A further stage of community consultation is planned for later this year ahead of an anticipated submission of a Development Consent Order (DCO) application to the planning inspectorate in 2027.
The proposals can be seen on the website at hopemoor.co.uk and people can find out more information at the drop-in events at:
- Newsham Village Hall, May 16 (10am-3pm)
- Bowes and Gilmonby Village Hall, May 19 (3-8pm)
- Barningham Village Hall, May 20 (3-8pm)
- The Witham, Barnard Castle, May 20 (9am-noon)
- Reeth Memorial Hall, May 21 (3-8pm)
- The Station, Richmond, May 22 (9am-noon)
- Newsham Village Hall, June 4 (3-8pm)
- Reeth Memorial Hall, June 6 (10am-3pm)
- Hope Moor Action Group has called a public meeting to discuss the proposals. The meeting is at The Witham, in Barnard Castle, on Tuesday, May 19, at 7pm. For more information visit hopemoor.org
